Brenda+Benton

**SUMMARY:** **Dusan Zivkovic performed the fatal abortion on 35-year-old Brenda Benton at Biogenetics in Chicago. Brenda died on April 20, 1987.**

 Brenda Benton's survivors sued [|Biogenetics] after her death, claiming that Dusan Zivkovic (pictured) and/or V. Perez had performed a [|safe and legal abortion] on her on March 13, 1987. She was placed under general anesthesia for the abortion.

After she was discharged, Brenda developed fever, chills, and back pain.

The suit says that 35-year-old Brenda returned to Biogenetics to report these symptoms on March 27, and that Zivkovic examined Brenda and performed a D&C before transferring her to Martha Washington Hospital.

There, Brenda's survivors say, Zivkovic called in other doctors for a consult. They then transferred Brenda to Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's hospital on April 6. She died there on April 20.

Her death was due to infection and [|"overwhelming septicemia."] Brenda's family said that Zivkovic failed to failed to determine that Brenda had had an adverse reaction to drugs he'd given her, and failed to detect and respond to her medical emergency. An expert opinion on the case attributes Brenda's death to inappropriate follow-up, and septicemia leading to fatal complications. Brenda's death certificate attributed death to hepatic necrosis due to toxicity reaction to abortion anesthesia.

"Susanna Chisolm" (1975) and Synthia Dennard (1989) also died after abortions at Biogenetics.

Sources: Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 89L 2906, Death Certificate No. 607697a